The incoming class of NFL draft choices has at least one thing in common: they all hope to play multiple years in the league and make that ONE big play that fans and the media will remember for decades.
NFL alum Steve Gleason accomplished those goals during his career in New Orleans. He played seven years (2000-2006) for the Saints and made what arguably is the most memorable play in franchise history.
His play occurred in 2006 when he blocked a punt early in the Saints’ nationally- televised, first post-Hurricane Katrina home game against the Falcons in front of a sellout crowd at the Superdome. The play became for many fans a symbol of recovery for a state that was ravished by the storm. Years later, a statue of Gleason lunging for the ball on that play was erected outside the stadium where he performed his heroics.
Unfortunately, Gleason also has encountered challenges since his playing days. In 2011, he revealed that he was battling ALS aka Lou Gehrig’s disease. He has been very public during his health crisis and has been honored several times for shedding light on this debilitating disease. In 2020, Gleason even was presented with a Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony in Washington D.C.
Gleason received a different type of recognition last week in New Orleans. He held a viewing in a St. Charles Avenue studio of his AI generated art that was made with old drawings he created before he was afflicted with ALS. There were no paintings or drawings at the show, just glowing projections of virtual art on screens.
Gleason began his involvement with AI art a couple of years ago when an Adobe software rep introduced him to the new digital art-making technology. Users prompt a computer program with a few typed words and the software generates a picture.
The 47-year-old Gleason, the father of two teenagers, lives according to his most famous quote: “Live each day with purpose and passion, for tomorrow is not guaranteed.”
We at NFL Alumni wish only many more inspiring days for our brother Steve Gleason and his family.
